Let's open these boxes!!

I walked into the shop yesterday and found Pam giddy with excitement! The famous, fabulous Stitch Poet Trunk Show arrived. Now let me say, Champagne and I are dear friends so I am a bit biased but jeez....this girl is completely talented! The Big Chip Bag is knitted beautifully but there's more....Champ adds wooden dowels, cabinet pulls from Anthropologie (no less) and a little leather trim & handles. Wow...I want this bag....think Champ would miss it? :) I invite you all to come by and take a look at the Stitch Poet creations while they are with us for a couple of weeks!

Pam artfully placed the collection throughout the shop. Of course, we have the patterns and yarn ready for you! So the only problem you might have is deciding on which design to choose or how many!

Visit Champagne's website here...

Today, Randy (favorite UPS guy...handsome too), brought in two more boxes! Wheee....life in the yarn shop! First, our order from The Nantucket Bag Company. These clever bags are every knitter's must-have bag: the workhorse bag for those who are serious about yarn.

And.....drum roll please.....Jordana Paige's new Rio bag color "Blue Lapis" arrived today. Better grab this one before it goes home with me. ;)

See you soon!

Jo

Fair Isle and Spud&Chloe

This weekend, we had the pleasure of having Nancy Shroyer teach us about Fair Isle and color. The homework for the Fair Isle class included picking 3 worsted weight colors to create our headbands and get started. After deciding I didn't have what I wanted in my stash, I headed over to Knit Picky to pick something out. I checked out the amazing colors of Cascade 220 that we got in, the Venezia and the rest of the enormous Cascade shipment. Then I picked up a skein of Spud&Chloe. This yard is a blend of 55% Wool and 45% Organic Cotton. It is SO soft and the colors are stunning, so off I went to cast on my homework. The wool and cotton blend is fantastic. It feels as soft as cotton, even my finicky older child likes it, but has the hand of wool when knitting with it. It is like the best of both worlds! I washed and dried it this morning (yes, I have finished the headband) and it washes like a dream.

The class was fascinating. Nancy is extremely knowledgeable about ALL things fair isle. There wasn't a question she couldn't answer. She had me using both hands (hats off to you English style knitters, it's hard!) and I'm already planning on more fair isle projects. I can see how it is so addictive.

Thank you, Jo! The time with Nancy was invaluable and the yarns you carry are yummy!

Fair Isle Workshop

Next Saturday, September 19, we are honored to host a national knitting instructor. You may take a lesson from Nancy Shroyer for less than $50!

Nancy is the owner of Nancy's Knit Knacks and is a fabulous designer of Fair Isle knitting patterns. Have you ever wondered how people knit with multiple colors creating a fabulous pattern? Here's your chance to learn! Trust me...if you can knit and purl, you can take this class and learn new techniques.

What is Fair Isle?
Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. It is named after Fair Isle, a tiny island in the north of Scotland, between the Orkney and Shetland islands. Fair Isle knitting gained a considerable popularity when the Prince of Wales (later to become Edward VIII) wore Fair Isle Tank tops in public in 1921. Traditional Fair Isle patterns have a limited palette of five or so colours, use only two colours per row, are worked in the round, and limit the length of a run of any particular colour. (from Wikipedia)

We are offering 2 classes:
1-Choosing a Color Palette-this class is helpful on so many levels. It will help when you choose colors for a knitting pattern or choose clothing and accessories when shopping. You may even use what you'll learn to decorate a room! Only $40.

2-Fair Isle 101 - this is an introduction to Fair Isle and color work. You'll have some homework to do before class and during class you'll knit a creative headband learning techniques as you knit. $45

So...what do you think? Come on and join us. It will be fun and educational and we will welcome Nancy to Winston Salem with a warm, cheerful group of knitters!

Call 768-5599 or sign up online here.

Jo